The bands are at the heart of the Swanage Folk Festival, with many people coming just to see their favourite band. Some concerts are free, for others you’ll need to buy a ticket. Most of the concerts are played in Sandpit field (number 1 on the map), but check the location of the acts you’re interested in.
Click on any of the entries below to get more information. At the bottom of this page is a map of the festival locations.
Founded in their native North West of England, Merry Hell is an eight-piece folk-rock band with a history, a pedigree and a bright future. In four short years they have risen to become festival favourites, their first two albums finding favour with critics,...
The Darkening’s inspiration comes from the wild, dramatic, weather-bitten countryside along Hadrian’s Wall, which seems so quintessentially Northumbrian…and yet, 1900 years ago that same landscape was inhabited by people from the furthest reaches of the Roman Empire,...
Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys are one of the most exciting bands to enter the UK Folk scene in the past twenty years. They performed at Swanage Folk festival a few years ago and the audience loved them so much we've invited them back. Sam Kelly is a BBC Radio 2 Folk...
From deep roots in their hometown’s vibrant music, song and dance scene, to smashing concert appearances in the UK and abroad, Sheffield-based Melrose Quartet have attracted a reputation for making music that truly connects with people. All four are internationally...
Honey & the Bear were a tour de force on the UK Folk Festival circuit in 2022. The British folk and roots duo combine delicately interweaving vocal harmonies with emotive and evocative songwriting. With a diverse range of sounds and textures, and rhythms that flow...
This popular, multi award-winning husband and wife duo exude timeless class with their exquisite brand of traditional and contemporary music. Duos come and duos go… and some nurture and fine tune their art and watch it grow into something totally original and...
Strong melodies, catchy sing-along choruses and intelligent lyrics, are the trademark of songs composed and performed by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Den Miller. Den is an engaging and entertaining live performer, delivering his music and his message...
Intarsia is a duo of performers from diverse backgrounds. Jo May and Sarah Matthews have worked together since 2018, combining voice, violin, viola, octave fiddle, tenor guitar, balafon and a wide range of other percussion instruments. The sounds of these wooden...
The Carrivick Sisters are one of British folk's best loved duos. They have a passion for old stories, American folk music and a good cup of tea (and who can disagree with that!). The joy they have in playing together is always evident at a Carrivick Sisters...
Thorn and Roses are a three part harmony group, having been together for 22 plus years. They're performing at this year's Swanage Folk Festival.
Seasoned musicians The Salts create are creating one of the most exciting and energetic folk concepts. Their sound is unique and mixes original compositions with classic traditional tunes, it's a guaranteed blast. “The Salts - they were just outstandingly brilliant”...
Anglo-Scottish duo Janice Burns & Jon Doran have a shared love of traditional music. Their songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world. This storytelling comes alive through vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin,...
Magpie Lane is a five-piece folk band from Oxford, who specialise in traditional English songs and dance tunes. They have been delighting audiences for over 25 years and released ten critically-acclaimed albums; each combining powerful vocals and vigorous dance tunes...
Keith Slater has been a professional musician since 1981 and has toured extensively around the British Isles. He has recorded with well known bands such as 60’s group Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders, the nationally acclaimed folk act The Fastest Bat and Lancashire...
KRELYS are a high energy Irish trad band from Cornwall. They have a repertoire comprising the best of the tradition – contemporary tunes from top Irish musicians, and those from the core of Irish music. Add in powerful songs with strong social commentary and you have...
Purbeck U3A Ukuleles are a group of joyous people of mixed abilities all wanting to learn and play the ukulele. The group started in 2018 with 15 wanting to learn the ukulele. The group became so popular that it quickly grew, they are now over 40 members. Bring your...